Nearly every summer since 2005 I have travelled to the US to visit my relatives for about three weeks. It’s pretty much the same set up every year, but it’s important for me to go because I have all my relatives in the US and I so rarely get to see them. This year I’m not going, I was offered a new job and a full time schedule for most of the summer, so the responsible side of me decided my student budget would benefit more from work than vacation.

The truth is, I’m very sad that I don’t have any vacation or travel planned this summer. The summer is my only time off all year, and the only time I have to travel. A part of me so desperately wants to drop everything and just go. Right now. Just be free. I realize my priorities in life are so often wrong. I’m too responsible for my own good sometimes, and the more I think about it the more I come to appreciate that life is so precious, and short. It should be spent doing things that will make you happy. There’s a time and a place to be responsible, but you only get one life and thus one chance to explore this magnificent world of ours. There’s so much to see, and it’s impossible to see it all in a lifetime, but I’d be a fool to not explore the little bit I can.

I’m going to try my hardest to find the time to travel again soon. Someplace warm would be nice, especially since Sweden has been so cold and rainy all summer, but – crazy as it sounds – the place I’ve been most tempted to go lately… is Iceland. I visited Iceland as a kid with my family. We stayed for three days and did the typical tourist things – the Blue Lagoon, saw some erupting geysirs, and went horseback riding on Iceland ponies. I’ve always loved horses, so as you can imagine I was in heaven on Iceland with all the horses roaming free everywhere. I think I want to go back and re-live that, and just enjoy the big wide open spaces, beautiful nature, and serenity of it all. Who wants to go with me?

Be confident. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren’t. Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when you accept everything you are – and aren’t – that you will truly succeed. Don’t let anyone else put you down. Remember the compliments and forget the insults.

I had a bit of a shitty day yesterday, so I’m relieved it’s the weekend and that I’ve got two days off, 48 hours to do with what I please. Well, sort of anyway. I have so much stuff to catch up on that I’m already feeling like 48 hours just isn’t going to cut it. I keep finding myself wishing I could be in some sunny place with beautiful turquoise water, white sand, green mountains, and cosy bungalows where I can lay flat on my back, stare up at the sky, and just breathe. Someone please whisk me away.

It’s Sunday morning and I’m slowly sipping my cup of coffee, waiting for its effect to kick in. The rain is pouring down outside and the forecast sees no end to it. I’m still feeling kind of exhausted from helping my mom move all day yesterday, or maybe my brain is just in Sunday mode. The moving project continues today with unpacking and setting things in order, I guess the weather’s kind of perfect for such activities.

Yesterday I started a new course in school and had two long lectures. My plan for the afternoon was to exercise, grocery shop and probably take a power nap because I was feeling exhausted.

Those plans suddenly changed when I bumped into a classmate on my way home who spontaneously offered to show me this beautiful area not far from where I live. We popped into the grocery store and got a little afternoon snack and something to drink and then headed off on our walk.

He took me to this area where there’s a little farm with goats, pigs, and horses! Ironically, I was just thinking the past weekend about how I haven’t touched a horse (or been horseback riding) in so many years, and how much I miss it (it was my LIFE growing up). It made my day that I got to pet a horse, and to know there’s three of them a short walk from where I live is just fantastic.

We continued our walk and my classmate showed me a great picnic and swimming spot right by the water, and tons of nature and great areas for runs and walks. We sat on the cliffs by the water and ate our snack and then headed back. When I got home I realized we’d been out walking for nearly two hours!

I’m so happy to know of these new areas now, it’s the perfect place to hang out this summer!

My recent move has meant some new purchases for my new apartment, among others some new kitchenware (I’ll get around to showing you what I got). It wasn’t easy deciding which plates, bowls and glasses to get. I want them to be clean and neat, and I’d prefer a whole set that matches. My budget doesn’t allow for expensive ceramics right now, but eventually I’d like to get a nice set that’ll potentially last me a lifetime.

The above ceramic kitchenware is designed by Sue Terrell, they remind me of something you’d find at (my favorite) Anthropologie. I don’t know if I’d be able to handle a whole set of animal plates and mugs, but I could see complimenting a solid color set with a bowl or serving dish by Sue Terrell. They kind of stick out and are nice conversation pieces.

Yesterday my mom, sister and I spent the whole day together. We had what my mom called a “road trip” planned. We didn’t go that far, even though we drove a lot. It was a fun day and I had my DSLR along with me so I took the opportunity to play around with taking photos. Here’s what I saw, and did.

We started out by driving out to Stavnäs to find a place to eat lunch.

We stopped at Bageriet and eyed the menu and the nice sandwiches in the display.

We decided this was a good place to eat. It was cosy and there were books all along the walls.

We sat by the window to eat.

After lunch comes… coffee and lunch-dessert. I had a minibiskvi that was filled with dark chocolate

My sister opted for a classic chocolate ball.

Then we took a little walk and saw what we saw, before hopping in the car and continuing our ride.

We stopped along the road to buy fresh raspberries and strawberries

And then continued down the road

We saw a sign for a garage sale, so we had to stop and do some thrifting. I found a great cinnamon shaker.

We made a quick stop at the gas station and my sister and I decided we needed something to nibble on in the car. Peanut M&M’s are the perfect car-nibbling-snack.

I love horses, always have and always will. I made mom stop the car so I could take a picture of two of the many horses we passed along the way.

I also couldn’t help photographing pretty flowers all along the way.

Then we drove to Gustavsberg and peeked into some cute shops. The road blocks were painted in happy colors.

At the iittala outlet I looked at pretty plates, bowls and mugs.

And then it was time for some more coffee but this time we had it to go. I liked the photos on the wall at the café.

After a stop for some groceries, we steered the car home and fired up the grill. I made a pretty salad to go with dinner.

After dinner we had strawberries and mom’s homemade brownies (they’re the best)

Today I’m meeting my two friends B and S and we’re heading out to Fjäderholmarna for another whole-day activity. And the sun is finally out!